Police forces across the North East paid tribute to two French officers murdered in the attack on the magazine Charlie Hebdo by pausing “in solidarity and sympathy” yesterday morning.

A two minute silence was observed at police stations throughout the region at midday as police paid their respects to the officers who lost their lives alongside 10 journalists in Paris on Wednesday, in France’s worst terrorist atrocity since 1961.

Officers from Durham Police paid tribute to two French officers who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Paris (Image: Durham Police)

In Durham, the Police’s HQ emptied, except for those staffing the emergency phones, as dozens of officers and civilian workers came outside into the winter sun to pay tribute to the French victims.

Chief Constable Mike Barton said afterwards: “The tragic events in Paris have shocked and saddened our officers and staff, who took part in a minute’s silence outside police headquarters this morning, to show camaraderie and fraternity with our French colleagues.

Durham Constabulary's Chief Constable Mike Barton

“All officers and staff, with the exception of those in a communications role, left the building to pay their respects.

“This wasn’t a three-line whip - I asked my colleagues, many of whom are not police officers but police staff, whether they wanted to show their overt public support for their colleagues over the Channel.

“Every single person, other than the people manning the emergency lines, came out to show their support.”

“I think that shows there is that camaraderie and fraternal support across the police community irrespective of international borders.”

Officers from Cumbria Police paid tribute to two French officers who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Paris (Image: Cumbria police)

Northumbria Police and Cumbria Police also observed a two minute silence, with Cumbria’s force tweeting a picture of officers standing in lines outside their HQ with the message: “Cumbria #PoliceTributeToParis 2 minute silence remembering those lost &amp; all those affected by the events in #Paris.”

Women light candles to commemorate the victims killed in an attack at the Paris offices of the weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo (Image: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Meanwhile in North Yorkshire, chief constable Dave Jones used a quote often attributed to French writer Voltaire saying: “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”

In Cleveland, officers also came out to pay their respects at midday. A spokesperson said: “In a mark of respect to those who tragically lost their lives during the incidents in Paris, officers and staff throughout the Force held a minute’s silence this morning.”

Officers from North Yorkshire Police paid tribute to two French officers who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Paris. https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

People across the region have been expressing their shock at Wednesday’s events, with many taking to Twitter to show their solidarity with those who lost their lives.

“On behalf of Newcastle City Council I’ve written to our twin city Nancy in France. We stand in solidarity with French friends and colleagues. #CharlieHebdo.”

From the council’s main account, one tweet on Wednesday night read: “Newcastle councillors, meeting now, send a message of deep condolence to Paris following a terrorist attack there earlier today #nccmeets.”

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the country, hundreds of MPs, peers, Parliamentary staff and journalists gathered in Westminster Hall for a two minute silence in memory of the 12 people killed in the Paris terror attack.

Speaker John Bercow led the vigil as the Big Ben bells tolled twelve noon over the Parliamentary estate and as the event ended said: “Colleagues, thank you for supporting the people of France.”

Politicians from all sides united to hold pens in the air and with many holding banners reading “Je suis Charlie”.

Tributes in Trafalgar Square, London, after three gunmen carried out a deadly terror attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, killing 12 people (Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Debates continued in both the Commons and Lords during the silence but those not speaking flooded to Westminster Hall.

Labour MP Chris Bryant announced the event in the Commons and afterwards said: “It’s a delight to see politicians from the Lords and the Commons, staff, police officers, everybody, standing still to commemorate the people who died in France yesterday.

“Frankly, that solidarity extends not just to the journalists and the police officers killed in France but also to journalists everywhere where freedom of the press is not enjoyed.”

Among the politicians taking part were Commons leader William Hague and Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman.

Meanwhile in France, police and security forces scoured the country for brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi, as Wednesday’s killings continued to draw condemnation around the world.